Copper Ore Processing Plant in Turkey

Copper Ore Processing Operation

Copper ore processing involves several different stages, such as crushing, extraction, concentration, smelting and purification. First the ore is crushed into a fine powder to increase the surface area for further processing. Next, the copper is extracted and concentrated by froth flotation in which ground ore is mixed with reagents in an aerated tank filled with water. The hydrophobic copper sulfide particles attach to the air bubbles and float to the surface where they form a froth that is skimmed off.

Next, the copper concentrate is smelted at high temperatures to form a liquid called copper matte, which is further purified by the removal of sulfur as sulfur dioxide, resulting in an end product called “copper blister” which is approximately 98-99% copper. Finally, in the purification process, copper is refined using a process called electrowinning

.

Copper Froth Flotation

Froth flotation is considered to be the most widely used method for ore beneficiation. In ore beneficiation, flotation is a process in which valuable minerals are separated from worthless material or other valuable minerals by inducing them to gather in and on the surface of a froth layer. Sulfide and non-sulfide minerals as well as native metals are recovered by froth flotation. This process is based on the ability of certain chemicals to modify the surface properties of the mineral.